§214.30. Coastal use permits

A.(1) No person shall commence a use of state or local concern without first applying for and receiving a coastal use permit. Decisions on coastal use permit applications shall be made by the secretary, except that the local government shall make coastal use permit decisions as to uses of local concern in areas where an approved local program is in effect. Conditions set forth in a coastal use permit shall supersede any and all variances or exceptions granted by the commissioner of conservation in accordance with R.S. 30:4(E)(1) for activities within the coastal zone as defined by R.S. 49:214.24.

(2) Prior to issuance of a coastal use permit, the secretary shall ensure that the activity for which application is being made is consistent with the state's master plan for integrated coastal protection. No activity which is not consistent with the plan shall be granted a coastal use permit. In addition, any permit granted to repair or replace a pipeline that would impact integrated coastal protection in the state's master or annual plan shall include a requirement that the pipeline owner shall be responsible for the cost to repair or replace such pipeline. The pipeline owner shall be responsible for the performance of any pipeline relocation work to accommodate the construction of any integrated coastal protection. Any incremental costs associated with such relocation work shall be reimbursed to the pipeline owner by the appropriate federal, state, or local governmental agency. As used in this Paragraph, "incremental costs" means the cost of the pipeline relocation required by the appropriate governing authority less the cost that the pipeline operator would have incurred for the maintenance project.

B. Within one hundred twenty days after the effective date of this Subpart, the secretary shall adopt, after notice and public hearing, rules and procedures consistent with this Subpart for both the state coastal management program and approved local programs regarding the form and information requirements for coastal use permit applications, the coastal use permit review process, public notice and public comments, criteria and guidelines for decision making, appeals and emergency activities.

C. The rules promulgated pursuant to this Section shall, among other things, provide that:

(1) Coastal use permit applications shall be submitted to the secretary, except that applications for uses in areas subject to an approved local program may instead be submitted to the local government. Local governments with an approved program to whom applications are submitted shall make the initial determination, subject to review by the secretary with a right of appeal, as to whether the proposed use is of state concern or local concern. Copies of all applications submitted to local governments and the local government's use-type determination shall be transmitted to the secretary within two days of receipt.

(2)(a) Within ten days of receipt of a coastal use permit application by the secretary, copies of the application shall be distributed to the local government or governments in whose parish the use is to occur and all appropriate state and local agencies, and public notice shall be given. A public hearing on an application may be held. Concurrently with the filing of the coastal use permit application, a copy of the application shall be distributed by the applicant to the owner or owners of the land on which the proposed coastal use is to occur. The landowner and his address shall be determined by rules of the administrator. The applicant shall make every reasonable effort, which shall include a search of the public records of the parish in which the use is to occur, if necessary, to determine the identity and current address of the owner or owners of the land on which the use is to occur. The application shall not be considered complete unless the applicant attaches thereto a written affidavit of the fact that reasonable efforts have been made to determine the identity and present address of each owner and a list of the names and addresses of the owners to whom the applicant has furnished a copy of the application. If the proposed activity would be located on property owned by more than ten persons, or on property owned jointly in an undivided interest consisting of more than ten persons, the secretary may deem the application complete upon proof that fifty percent of the persons owning or having an undivided interest in the property have been provided with a copy of the application. The secretary may also approve this method of landowner notification in the case where the applicant holds a valid right-of-way, easement, or servitude for conducting the proposed activity on that property or when a government entity proposes to conduct maintenance activities on existing public works projects.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the secretary shall, after notification by the department to the applicant that the application is complete, grant or deny all applications for all permits, licenses, registrations, variances, or compliance schedules within sixty days. The notification of completeness shall be issued within fourteen days, exclusive of holidays, by the department. If the application is not complete, the department shall notify the applicant in writing of the deficiencies which cause the application not to be complete. If the secretary does not grant the application, he shall provide written reasons for his decision, and copies of the decision shall be provided to all parties. The secretary may delegate the power to grant permits, licenses, registrations, variances, or compliance schedules to an assistant secretary, division administrator or other designee.

(c) If the secretary does not grant or deny the application within the time period provided for herein, the applicant may file a rule as provided for in R.S. 49:962.1.

(3) The decision to approve, approve with modifications, or otherwise condition approval, or deny the coastal use permit shall be made within thirty days after public notice or within fifteen days after a public hearing, whichever is later. The coastal use permit decision must be consistent with the state program and approved local programs for affected parishes and must represent an appropriate balancing of social, environmental and economic factors. In all instances local government comments shall be given substantial consideration.

(4) The decision to approve, approve with modifications, or otherwise condition approval, or deny the application for a coastal use permit shall be in writing and copies of the decisions shall be sent to all parties.

(5) Public notice of coastal use permit decisions shall be given.

(6) The secretary may adopt rules providing for alternate procedures for the filing of applications, distribution of copies, giving of notices, and public hearings in order to implement the coordinated coastal permitting process established pursuant to R.S. 49:214.33.

(7) Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of law in this Section, the permitting authority may deny without prejudice, or withdraw or place on inactive status, the application for a coastal use permit if the applicant fails to respond within sixty days to any request or inquiry from the permitting authority.

(8) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law or regulation, a coastal use permit, once granted on private continuing marsh management projects, shall be valid for the life of the project or activity for which the permit is issued, unless the secretary shall thereafter modify, revoke, or suspend the permit. Unless the secretary revokes or suspends the permit, no further permits shall be necessary for activities required to operate or maintain the permitted use.

(9) The secretary shall take into consideration a permit applicant's history of compliance with the provisions of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program prior to making a determination of whether to approve, approve with modifications or otherwise conditionally approve, or deny the application for a coastal use permit. As used in this Paragraph, "permit applicant" shall mean the specific company, individual, or entity which has made application for the permit. Any use or activity found to not comply with the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program which was conducted by a person or entity or on a property prior to the acquisition of that person, entity, or property by the permit applicant shall not be considered a part of the permit applicant's history of compliance. The applicant shall be allowed to review and comment on his compliance record as compiled by the secretary. The department shall promulgate, under the Administrative Procedure Act, guidelines for implementation of this Paragraph.

D. The applicant, the secretary, and affected local government or affected federal, state, or local agency, any aggrieved person, or any other person adversely affected by a coastal use permit decision may appeal the coastal use permit decision in accordance with R.S. 49:214.35.

E. The secretary is authorized to adopt rules and procedures for the issuance of general coastal use permits and for the issuance of variances from the normal coastal use permitting requirements. For the purposes of this Subpart, a general coastal use permit is an authorization to prospective users to perform specific uses within prescribed areas of the coastal zone without the necessity for a complete, independent review of each proposed use and allows the shortest time period of review possible. The rules and procedures which may be adopted pursuant to this Section shall provide for expeditious processing of applications for general coastal use permits and may authorize variances from the normal coastal use permit application and review procedures. General coastal use permits and variances from the normal coastal use permitting requirements may not be issued except when the issuance of such general coastal use permits or variances does not impair the fulfillment of the objectives and policies of the Subpart.

F. The secretary shall adopt rules whereby specified types of activities may be carried out under prescribed emergency conditions without the necessity of obtaining a coastal use permit in advance.

G.(1) The secretary is authorized to establish a reasonable schedule for fees to be charged to the applicant for the processing and evaluation of coastal use permit applications.

(2) The secretary is authorized to increase the fee charged to an applicant for a coastal use permit for a nonresidential coastal use to not more than one hundred dollars per application. In addition, the secretary is authorized to increase the fee charged to an applicant for a coastal use permit for a nonresidential coastal use that involves excavation or filling to not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five thousand dollars per application, and such fee shall not exceed ten cents per cubic yard of material excavated or filled.

(3) The secretary shall waive fees authorized by this Section for any individual, state agency, or political subdivision deemed by him to be engaged in coastal restoration activity consistent with the plan as provided in R.S. 49:213.6 and for local public bodies for constructing drainage improvements.

(4) Funds generated from these fees shall be deposited in the Coastal Resources Trust Fund as provided in R.S. 49:214.40.

H.(1) In order for the state to fulfill its obligation under the public policy provisions of this Subpart, the secretary shall insure that whenever a proposed use or activity requires the dredging or disposal of five hundred thousand cubic yards or more of any waterbottom or wetland within the coastal zone, the dredged material shall be used for the beneficial purposes of wetland protection, creation, enhancement, or combinations thereof, in accordance with a long term management strategies plan for each existing or proposed channel or canal as approved by the secretary.

(2) Whenever a proposed use or activity requires a coastal use permit for the dredging or disposal of from twenty-five thousand to five hundred thousand cubic yards of any water bottoms or wetland within the coastal zone, the secretary may require the beneficial use of the dredge material for wetland and barrier island protection, creation, enhancement or combinations thereof. Consideration shall include a site specific statement reflecting estimated costs and the availability of a suitable disposal area. Long term management strategy disposal areas shall be utilized when practical. Activities not in the vicinity of long term management strategy disposal areas shall be considered on a case by case basis through the coastal use permit process. A system of mitigation credits shall be initiated to encourage the beneficial use of dredged material by dredge applicants. The secretary shall require the beneficial use of dredge material in circumstances where it is deemed economically feasible with consideration given to the value of established mitigation credits.

(3) When a proposed use or activity involves dredging to construct or maintain a channel or canal greater than one mile in length in the coastal zone and where the secretary determines that failure to maintain and stabilize the banks of such channel or canal will result in direct or indirect loss of wetlands or adverse impacts to wetlands or water bottoms, the secretary shall require that such banks be maintained and stabilized using dredged materials or structural stabilization measures, or both. In areas where the secretary determines that dredged material placement alone is insufficient to maintain and stabilize the banks along all or part of the canal or channel, the use of structural stabilization measures, including but not limited to rock breakwaters, shall also be required. Any dredged material disposal and channel bank stabilization shall be in accordance with a long term management strategies plan for each existing or proposed channel or canal as approved by the secretary. At a minimum, the plan shall address environmental and economic considerations and emergency situations.

Acts 1990, No. 98, §1; Acts 1990, No. 662, §1, eff. July 19, 1990; Acts 1990, No. 996, §2; Acts 1991, No. 637, §1; Acts 1991, No. 828, §2; Acts 1991, No. 995, §1; Acts 1992, No. 815, §2; Acts 1993, No. 194, §2; Acts 1993, No. 970, §1; Acts 1997, No. 93, §1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 147, §1; Acts 2004, No. 277, §1; Acts 2004, No. 386, §1; Acts 2004, No. 459, §1, eff. June 24, 2004; Acts 2010, No. 834, §1.